Let's Become Adventurers! (3)
In the secret passage hidden within the walls of the First City—right beside the Imperial Capital—cries filled with pure malice echoed through the darkness.
“We will never give up! You filthy dogs of the Empire!”
“Yes, yes, whatever you say, thank you~”
A tall woman in a brown robe pulled her hood lower and tightened the ropes binding the captured black mages.
“Gaaaahhh!!!”
“Quiet.”
“You crazy bitch! Kgh! Ptui!”
“...”
When one foul-tempered black mage tried to spit at her, the woman dodged with superhuman reflexes.
“Just tie them up roughly. We can’t take them in anyway.”
“I’m only making sure they can’t escape.”
“You’re so uptight~”
“...I’m simply doing my job. Perhaps the captain should show some dignity befitting her position.”
“I hate that stuff~”
“...”
The vice-captain fell silent at her stubborn leader’s attitude and went back to tightening the bonds.
“Gaaaah!”
Just then, a figure completely shrouded in black cloth beneath their brown robe descended silently from the ceiling.
“Captain, we missed two of them.”
“Ah~ You mean the ones who screamed at the very beginning?”
“Yes. One’s identity is unknown. The other appeared to be from the Eastern Continent.”
“Hmm… Just put out a bounty. They’re probably just idiots.”
“Understood.”
The fully covered figure bowed and vanished back into the ceiling.
“Kyaha! Shall we get going now?”
“Yes. Sunrise seems close.”
At the vice-captain’s words, the other brown-robed figures who had been lying down began to rise one by one. Dawn light was already leaking through the cracks in the secret passage’s brick walls.
“Ugh…”
“Awake now?”
We ended up spending the night on the city streets.
“Today… we don’t have to sleep outside again… right…?”
“Complaining about your bed the second you open your eyes?”
“I… I don’t want to sleep rough… anymore…”
“…That depends on what we do today.”
“Today…?”
After fleeing from both the black-robed group and the brown-robed group, we had barely managed to slip into the city.
“Today’s the day we head to the Adventurers’ Guild, isn’t it?”
“The Adventurers’ Guild…!”
I stopped dawdling and shot to my feet in one smooth motion.
“Of course the other world has an Adventurers’ Guild! A kind receptionist lady! Drinks, toasts, and one-shot gulps! And… a charming female thief who suddenly suggests we form a party!”
“…Sigh.”
I spoke with sparkling eyes about my grand dream while Reve let out a long sigh and started walking.
“Reve… but what if those people from yesterday come looking for us?”
No matter how chaotic it had been, the idea that no one had noticed us quietly slipping away from such a large crowd seemed nearly impossible.
“It was the best we could do at the time, but I’m still a little anxious…”
“Well, there’s nothing we can do about it now. It’s fine. Those guys don’t know who we are.”
“Still… we weren’t even wearing robes…”
“Hmm? I was completely covered, though?”
“…”
I gave Reve a chilly stare, then something suddenly occurred to me.
“By the way… what was that symbol?”
“Hmm? Ah, you mean the black mages’ emblem?”
“The black mages’ emblem…?”
All the black mages had worn black robes embroidered with a white symbol—a cross intersected by a circle.
“Yes. It’s the mark that any self-respecting black mage should carry.”
That’s right. It reminded me how furious I’d gotten when they treated Reve like one of them.
“Hmm… Black mages are fools who want to destroy this world.”
“Ah… so it really is exactly what the name says…”
“Correct. They’re a gathering of people who each bear their own grudges against the world and seek its annihilation.”
“Ah… but isn’t that the same as the demon race?”
Wasn’t the Demon King’s goal usually world destruction too…?
“Do not compare us to those idiots! Our goal is to claim the Central Continent and the rest of the world as our territory!”
“Uh… so you’re about conquest… and they’re about destruction…?”
“Exactly!”
…Both conquest and destruction sounded pretty evil to me.
“So… that’s why you hate black mages who want to destroy the world?”
“Hmm… the order is a bit reversed, but… in any case, black mages hate both humans and the demon race equally.”
Even though they wanted to destroy the world, they refused to even join hands with the demon race… Just how deep was humanity’s hatred for demons here?
“That’s why they use the black mage symbol to recognize each other.”
“Ah… so they don’t all know one another…”
“Correct. If you started carrying that symbol right now, you’d instantly be treated as a black mage.”
“…”
While having that light conversation on our way to the Adventurers’ Guild, I pulled Momo out of my pocket.
“Momo, you doing okay?”
I had left her alone for a while out of consideration, since she had unintentionally leaped over several hundred years of time.
“Yeah. I thought I was going to die of boredom, though.”
Momo’s response was far more positive than I’d expected.
“Uh… sorry?”
“No, no need to apologize… Just wear me on your head from now on.”
“O-okay…”
I fixed Momo back onto my head.
“That mask again? I’d rather you not wear it. It draws too much attention.”
“No way! Momo has the right to feel warm sunlight and breeze too!”
“Crazy bastard…”
Reve shot me a glare before turning away again.
“But do you know the way? You said this is your first time here too.”
“Well, it should be somewhere near the plaza or the busy streets. That’s where we’re headed.”
“I see…”
And then we saw something incredible in the plaza.
“…”
“…This can’t be.”
“Haah…”
In the center of the plaza stood a massive wooden bulletin board. Various hot topics and information about the city were posted there, and in one corner was an advertisement searching for us.
WANTED
Two individuals: a black-haired man from the Eastern Continent and a man covering his entire body.
Traveling together. Information appreciated.
“At least they didn’t identify us completely…”
It did say a duo consisting of a black-haired Eastern Continental and a fully covered man, but still…
“Isn’t this dangerous? If we walk into the Adventurers’ Guild, won’t they figure it out immediately?”
“Hmm… This kind of advertisement isn’t managed by the Adventurers’ Guild. It’s the sort individuals or small organizations put up themselves.”
“Uh… so it’s okay then?”
“No. Some adventurers do pay close attention to these notices…”
Reve quickly grabbed my collar and pulled me into a narrow alley to hide.
“Reve?”
“We need to avoid standing out for now.”
“But… anyone who looks at you would—”
“I know. That’s why we’ll act separately from here.”
“…What?”
Was this a breakup? But…
“It’s not like that.”
“Huh? How did you know what I was thinking!”
“…It’s written all over your face.”
“Mhm. Yeah, you really are way too transparent.”
Even Momo was piling on… Maybe I really did need to learn how to keep a poker face.
“Anyway, you head to the Adventurers’ Guild and register. I’ll look for a place for us to stay around here.”
“Hmm… Got it!”
“Haah…”
Reve gave me one last look that screamed I can’t trust you at all, then turned away.
“See you here shortly.”
He disappeared between the alleys.
“…Alright! My turn!”
“Yeah. I already scouted the route to the Adventurers’ Guild earlier.”
“Huh? When?”
“While you two were staring at the wanted poster. Just head toward the central bulletin board. I’ll guide you.”
“As expected of Momo! I knew I could count on you!”
Following Momo’s directions, I arrived at the Adventurers’ Guild.
The building was a classic enormous wooden hall. Right in the center of its facade was what appeared to be the guild’s emblem.
“Ooh…!”
Inside, adventurers were browsing the bulletin board covered with requests and criminal wanted posters. Others sat at tables, holding meetings or looking for party members.
I walked straight across the hall to the reception counter.
“Um… I’d like to become an adventurer…”
“Ah, may I have your name?”
A cute receptionist lady sat behind the counter.
“Lee Siwoo.”
“You must be from the Eastern Continent.”
“Well… yes.”
The receptionist naturally assumed I was from the Eastern Continent and began writing something down.
“But what brings you all the way here? Our city is in the center of the continent…?”
“Uh… well… that is…”
What now? I couldn’t think of an excuse!
“Just say you came because it’s a famous city.”
“Because this place… is famous for its Adventurers’ Guild…”
“Ah~ That’s true. Our city is quite well-known~”
Pleased with my answer, the receptionist launched into a long explanation of the city’s history and the guild’s origins.
“Our guild was created by renovating the very tavern where the First Hero first defeated a monster—”
“I see…”
“The city’s name was personally chosen by the First Hero himself—”
“Wow… amazing…”
Her conversational stamina was incredible. Just listening wore me out.
“Oh dear! I got carried away, didn’t I? Here, registration is complete…”
The receptionist handed me a wooden plaque stamped with the Adventurers’ Guild seal.
◈ Proof of registration with the Adventurers' Guild
◈ Return if lost or face fine
“1…?”
The number “1” was boldly engraved on the back.
“It’s the mark of a Rank 1 adventurer. Congratulations.”
“But… isn’t Rank 9 the lowest rank for adventurers?”
“Ah, that—”
“You didn’t know? Adventurers begin at Rank 1, then rise to 2, 3… all the way up to Rank 9.”
Apparently mistaking my question to Momo as one for her, the receptionist answered instead.
“Uh… isn’t it usually the other way around?”
“…No? It’s naturally an upward progression.”
Hmm… As expected of another world. The little details really were completely different.
“Ah, and do you have any particular specialties?”
“Specialties…?”
“Yes—swordsmanship, magic, that sort of thing. It helps us determine your role!”
Ah, she meant like DPS or tank?
“Ah, I can use Sword Ar—”
“Hold on.”
The moment I nearly mentioned Sword Arts, Momo urgently cut me off.
“Just say you know a little about swords.”
“—I know a bit about swords and blades.”
I quickly corrected myself.
“As expected~ Travelers from the Eastern Continent often carry unique swords~”
The receptionist added more notes to the paperwork. Taking the chance, I quietly asked Momo,
“But… why hide it?”
“There’s no special reason. Hiding your true strength is just common sense.”
“Ah…”
Even though Momo had been summoned like me, as a senior resident of this world her mindset was much closer to Reve’s.
“That sounds like something Reve would say…”
“It’s basic common sense. When someone states their ability, assume they’re several steps stronger than they claim. It’s safer that way.”
While I was chatting with Momo, the receptionist finished the paperwork and called out to me.
“There we are. Lee Siwoo from the Eastern Continent… Specialty: sword… Any other notable details?”
“Uh… no?”
“Perfect! Registration complete!”
Great. I had finally become an adventurer. At least now I had some form of identification in this other world.
“Do you have a request in mind?”
“A request? Not really…”
“Then would you like a recommendation? We have several suitable for beginners…”
The receptionist rummaged behind the counter and pulled out a few request sheets.
“Basic herb gathering, cave exploration, and—if you’re confident in combat—goblin subjugation. Which would you like?”
“Um… well…”
Hmm… Was it okay to pick one without asking Reve first?
“They’re all beginner requests. Just grab any of them. These are permanent postings with no penalty for failure anyway.”
While I hesitated, Momo reassured me not to overthink it.
“Then…”
After some thought, I picked one of the sheets.
“Is this the right alley? They all look the same…”
“Yes. Looks like we got here first.”
With adventurer registration complete and a request successfully chosen, I returned to the alley with the proud heart of an agent who had perfectly fulfilled his mission. We waited for Reve.
“You were already here.”
After a short wait, Reve—wrapped from head to toe—emerged from the far end of the alley.
“Oh! Reve! Look at this! I’m a Rank 1 adventurer now!”
I proudly held up the Rank 1 plaque.
“Take good care of that. Losing it would be a big problem.”
“Ah, right. It’s basically my only ID now…”
“That too, but you’ll also have to pay a fine if you lose it.”
“A fine? How much?”
“Ten gold coins.”
“…Ten gold coins?”
Ten gold coins? It sounded like a lot, but I had no real sense of the value.
“Hmm… One hundred copper coins equal one silver coin. One hundred silver coins equal one gold coin. One hundred gold coins equal one platinum coin.”
“Copper… silver… gold… platinum…”
“Talking to the mask again?”
When I spoke with Momo, the watching Reve sounded exasperated.
“It’s not a mask, it’s Momo! How many times do I have to tell you!”
“…Right.”
Reve sighed, gave a half-hearted nod, and stepped out of the alley.
“Let’s not stand around here. Let’s go.”
“Oh, right. Did you find us a place to stay?”
“Of course. Follow me.”
I followed Reve for quite a while until we reached what seemed to be the lodging district.
“There are so many inns. Is it because the city has such a long history?”
“Hmm? How did you know that?”
Reve looked puzzled as I gazed around in appreciation.
“Ah, the receptionist lady told me.”
“You actually gathered useful information. I thought you’d barely manage to register while being suspected the whole time.”
“What are you talking about! I’m a hero, a hero!”
“You still don’t even know if you’re the real hero yet…”
“What!!!”
I… I really am… right…?
We continued chatting as we walked deeper into the lodging street.
“But how much farther? There aren’t many inns left…”
“We’re almost there.”
The shiny, upscale inns from the start of the street had disappeared. Normal-looking ones grew scarce. The buildings around us were so rundown they looked ready to collapse, raising my anxiety even higher.
“Um… we did secure a proper place, right? We’re not sleeping in some half-collapsed warehouse… are we?”
“No. It has a ceiling and a stove.”
“Ugh… I have a bad feeling…”
Reve looked around, then suddenly stopped.
“We’re here. That one.”
He pointed at a building.
“Oh…?”
It looked old but showed no signs of collapse. It seemed like a warm, ordinary family home.
“It’s just a normal house… isn’t it?”
“You’ll understand once we go in.”
Reve strode forward, opened the door, and stepped inside without hesitation.
“W-wait for me!”
I hurried after him into the house.
It was exactly as it appeared from outside—a completely ordinary home. A kitchen on one side, a large table in the middle of the living room, a stove with crackling red flames, and an old man sitting in a rocking chair…
“There’s someone here?”
“Of course there is. Did you think an empty building would be our lodging?”
“Well, that makes sense, but…”
Reve walked confidently up to the grandfather in the rocking chair.
“Here. That guy over there is the hero.”
“Ah… so you’re the hero… I see…”
The old man stared into empty space and gave a vague reply.
“Don’t tell me… you tricked an old man with dementia?”
“Tricked? This old man said he’d give free lodging to anyone who brought a hero. And you are a hero, aren’t you?”
“W-well, yes, but…”
Hmm… It was technically correct… but still…
“Let’s head up. The room we’ll be using isn’t on this floor.”
“Huh?”
Reve pulled a rope hanging from the ceiling. The ceiling panel opened and a ladder slid down.
“Come. Let’s go up.”
“…Huh?”
And so we climbed the ladder into the attic.
“The attic…?”
“Yes. Let’s sleep. The sun’s already set.”
Fortunately the attic had neither dust nor spiderwebs, but it also had nothing else.
“There’s nothing here…?”
“Still better than sleeping on the street, isn’t it?”
Reve immediately flopped down onto the floor.
“…Haah.”
In the end I lay down beside him.
“Hmm? What’s this paper?”
Reve snatched the sheet that had slipped out when I lay down.
“Ah, that’s the request I picked up today.”
“…Herb gathering?”
“Yeah! I chose it because it looked the easiest!”
“…Reward is five copper coins.”
“Well, it is the easiest, so the pay is low…”
“No! Do you have any common sense at all? You should pick a request of appropriate difficulty! Something like this just wastes time for pitiful pay…! Haah…”
“…If you’re going to complain about that, is this lodging really any better?”
“…Let’s just sleep.”
And so we were finally able to sleep in a place with a ceiling.